Ring Power Lift Trucks is pleased to announce that Patrick Knisel has been promoted to the position of Lift Truck Safety Trainer for North and Central Florida.

Knisel, who first joined Ring Power Lift Trucks in 2004 as a Product Support Sales Representative, has been instrumental in Ring Power Lift Trucks Parts and Service Sales growth and brings a wealth of knowledge to his new position as Lift Truck Safety Trainer.

In his new position, Knisel will oversee every aspect of Ring Power Lift Trucks comprehensive forklift operator certification training program in both North and Central Florida.

West Coast Tomato LLC, a long-standing customer of Ring Power Lift Trucks, took delivery of 12 new forklifts by Cat Lift Trucks at their Palmetto, Fla. packing plant in September and October. Included in the purchase were four C5000-LE’s, one C4000-LE and seven C3500-LE’s. It’s easy to see why they need so many forklifts. The first company to detect and sort out defective fruit with the aid of technology rather than manual labor, West Coast Tomato produces about five million boxes of tomatoes annually!

The customer’s order originally called for 10 new Cat trucks, but they were so pleased with their first delivery and with Ring Power’s customer service, they decided to go all in and ordered two more.

Ring Power Lift Trucks is Florida's premier material handling equipment and forklift dealer, with ten conveniently located forklift facilities. Choose a new forklift or used forklift, to fit your budget. We supply forklift parts and service no matter what make or model forklift you own.

While his wife was distracted attending law school, John Stiefel built a furnace.

Not to warm their home, but to smelt scrap metal. Built on a trailer, he towed it to scrap yards and converted aluminum scrap into ingots that could be resold for higher profit.

Now he melts scrap aluminum wheels and makes them into … new wheels.

“We have developed a proprietary recycling process that doesn’t damage or degrade the aluminum as we smelt it,” John Stiefel explains. “And that superior product can be used – unaltered – to produce new wheels.”

Stiefel has two companies in Dade City, Fla. Stiefel Aluminum acquires scrap aluminum wheels and smelts them. Some of the aluminum is made into ingots for resale, but the rest is transported to his other company, SB Manufacturing, which produces aftermarket and “replica” wheels to replace damaged OEM wheels.

“Customers were buying our ingots to make them into new wheels,” said Stiefel. “Which made us realize we could do the same thing and skip cooling, transporting and re-melting ingot completely.”

Ring Power Partner

The foundry, Stiefel Aluminum, started as a Ring Power Lift Trucks service customer, eventually buying a couple of forklifts to move product and lift it into the furnaces.

With the addition of SB Manufacturing, there was the need to transport a crucible of molten aluminum to the casting machinery – to accomplish this, SB Manufacturing purchased a new Cat 12,000 lb. lift truck.

On the SB side, compressed air is integral. They use it to automate the casting, heat treatment and x-ray (quality control) machinery; it is also used to power the machining, polishing and paint line in the finishing facility.

To meet their compressed air needs, they turned to Ring Power Air Compressor Representative Jason Stone – who set them up as an “air over the fence” customer.

“Their needs were very specific,” explained Stone. “With the air interacting with molten aluminum in casting and also being used for high-quality finishes, they needed it to be very dry and free of

contaminants.”

To accomplish this, Ring Power installed two Sullair compressors, a 125 h.p. variable-speed unit and a 75 h.p. unit – both with receivers and desiccant dryers. SB purchased separate delivery systems – one in the casting room, the other in the finishing facility – that feature 3-inch piping with more than 30 air drops.

Transair aluminum piping was selected because it is resistant to corrosion, minimizing impurities and turbulence. The system also features special fittings and valves that allow it to be installed and modified quickly.

“Plus, the product really looks great for customers – like John – who like to show off their facilities,” said Stone, who added that project is one of the largest Transair installations that Ring Power has undertaken. (Ring Power uses Transair piping at their own facilities.)

As an “air over the fence” customer Stiefel purchases the compressed air (at a determined pressure, temperature and humidity) from Ring Power – rather than the compressors and associated equipment. This arrangement allows Stiefel to avoid the typical headaches and cost fluctuations associated with equipment ownership, and allows Ring Power to control the other variables – such as maintenance, replacement schedules and equipment selection – ensuring both get the biggest bang for the buck.

How’d they get here?

Stiefel started his first foundry in 1992 in Ohio with the furnace on a trailer. He sold that business in 2000 and moved to New York. He later he opened another foundry in Watertown, N.Y.

On a particularly cold day – while gathered around a furnace for warmth – his son quipped “Dad, there has to be a better place to do this.” So on a family trip to St. Simon Island, Ga., they began to explore warmer locations.

They started by looking at scrap yards that could provide the raw material they needed (wheels). There were some in Georgia, a slightly higher number closer to Jacksonville, but hundreds in Central Florida. So they started looking near Tampa, eventually securing a location in Lakeland to “test the waters.”

Once he confirmed his process worked in Florida and the material supplies proved reliable, he started looking for bigger facilities. He landed in the Dade City Business Park in the former Lykes Pasco Beverage plant.

The wheels are in motion

In September, SB started selling wheels – made from 100% recycled aluminum – and the casting room shifted to round-the-clock production. Additional casting machines are also being added.

“We are competing with the Chinese,” said Stiefel. “And we can do it because our high-quality recycled aluminum allows us to control material costs. We’re bringing jobs and manufacturing back to America. And customers tell us they love the fact they are able to buy wheels with ‘Made in the USA’ stamped right on them.”

As production increases toward the goal of one million wheels annually (expected in 2014) Stiefel Aluminum will phase out ingot production and focus exclusively on supplying SB Manufacturing with molten aluminum.

Stiefel Aluminum currently employs 25 (and expects to add up to 10 more) and SB plans to have 70 employees when they reach full production.

“Honestly, I didn’t need to do this … I had enough money to buy groceries the rest of my life,” said Stiefel. “But how often do you get an opportunity like this? To do something for your country? We’re bringing jobs back. I’m proud of that … every time I talk about it, I get a little choked up.”

With an aging lift truck fleet and increasing repair expenses, Tampa-based Corasential called on Ring Power’s Lift Truck team to perform a complete fleet evaluation.

Working closely with Coresential, the Ring Power Lift Trucks team carefully reviewed Corasential’s warehouse operations, fleet maintenance reports, and overall equipment health. By combining the equipment operations and productivity expertise of area Salesman, Joe Zevchak and the product support talents of Product Support Representative Jason Marmino, Ring Power Lift Trucks assembled a proposed fleet replacement to lower the cost of forklift ownership and improve fleet productivity.

Corasential had previously been running LP gas trucks and was leery of switching over to electric. Their previous experience with electric forklifts led to the impression of under-powered forklifts that saved time on operational expense at the cost of productivity.

If it were not for the nearly 20 year relationship with Ring Power's lift truck division, Coresential would likely have returned to their trusted LP units. Their trust in the Ring Power Lift Truck’s team and a demonstration of the capability of the Caterpillar and Clark products at the Ring Power's Riverview/Tampa facility convinced Corasential that they could go electric without sacrificing productivity.

Coresential has now taken delivery of their initial truck replacements and are pleased with the productivity increases and how quiet the electric trucks are in the plant. Coresential is planning on additional replacements of LP trucks with Electric. The lower operational expense, improved productivity and safety of quiet electric has proven to be a big win for Coresential.

Ring Power Lift Trucks is Florida's premier material handling equipment supplier, with ten conveniently located forklift facilities. Choose a new forklift or used forklift, to fit your budget. We supply forklift parts and service no matter what make or model forklift you own. We even design entire warehouses with new pallet racking.

“Ready mix concrete production and concrete block manufacturing are tough enough jobs on their own, apart from the Florida heat and humidity. With those elements added in, we needed to provide our customer with the toughest, most durable and productive lift truck available. The Caterpillar name is synonymous with tough jobs, so it was the perfect fit for this customer in this rigorous application," said DeJohn.

“Caterpillar is our lift truck of choice,” he said. “They hold [up] and run well for a long, long time in our very tough environment.“

In business since 1972, and with five strategically located operations, B.E.T.-ER Mix is the premier provider of concrete products in the Tampa area.

Known for their commitment to customer service and manufacturing excellence, B.E.T.-ER Mix is equally known for their pursuit of philanthropic causes. One look at the legendary Susan B. Komen Pink Logo that adorns their unique concrete mixer, tells the story of a company that looks to give back to the community in a very “concrete” way.

With a total of five trucks adorned with pink logos, B.E.T.-ER Mix is committed to getting the breast cancer awareness message out in the communities they serve. In addition to the trucks, the company regularly participates in cancer research fundraising events, including the upcoming Susan G. Komen 3-Day Walk.

For DeJohn, this wasn’t just another sale.

“With my wife having gone through a very tough diagnosis and treatment last year, their cause is very personal to me,” he said. “I admire their commitment to supporting breast cancer awareness and research. Ring Power is pleased to be of service to one of our customers, who sets time and money aside to assist in the fight to end cancer, and we look forward to a long, successful and mutual continued relationship with them.“

Ring Power Lift Trucks is Florida's premier material handling equipment supplier, with ten conveniently located forklift facilities. Choose a new forklift or used forklift, to fit your budget. We supply forklift parts and service no matter what make or model forklift you own.

Community Food Bank of Citrus County gets a lift from Ring Power Lift Trucks

The fight to end hunger is a momentous task but the Community Food Bank of Citrus County is up to the challenge. Formed last year, the Community Food Bank of Citrus County works tirelessly to acquire and distribute quality, nutritious food to pantries, soup kitchens and shelters within Citrus County.

With food donations coming into the main warehouse in Homosassa, Fla., the Community Food Bank requires, not just the work of countless volunteers; but the proper material handling equipment to ensure that the food is stored properly and efficiently, and when ready, distributed to various agencies across the county.

The Community Food Bank recently turned to Ring Power Lift Trucks for their expertise in choosing the proper material handling equipment for their job. With the help of Ring Power Lift Trucks Salesman Joe DeJohn and PSSR Rob Brown, the staff recently decided on and purchased two new forklifts for their operations.

After assessing their needs, DeJohn felt that a Big Joe E30, an electric pallet jack with a 3,000 lbs. capacity, was the best product for the application.

The food bank was also immediately sold on a Clark TMX15S electric lift truck, to work in the tight aisles in a way that no one lift truck can.

We commend the Community Food Bank of Citrus County for their selfless efforts to end hunger within the county and look forward to a continued relationship with them.

Ring Power Lift Trucks is the forklift and material handling division of Ring Power Corporation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Additional offices service Pompano Beach, Miami, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Ocala and Tallahassee. For more information on Ring Power Lift Trucks, visit the Ring Power Lift Trucks website.

Our Miami operations have moved to a larger facility in Doral, Fla., near the Palmetto Expressway. The new Ring Power location, which opened for business Feb. 4, now offers: non-Cat parts, service, sales and rental of forklifts, cranes and air compressors and will serve both domestic and export customers.

Van Duzer joined Ring Power Lift Trucks, the forklift division of Ring Power Corporation, in September 2012. He brings with him more than 15 years of experience in business to business sales and the lift truck industry. Van Duzer uses an objective based sales approach, incorporating value and integrated solutions to ensure customers receive the best overall value to meet their objectives. He has expressed a high level of excitement about Ring Power's customer first commitment, financial strengths, dedication and ability to meet all service commitments.

Van Duzer will be responsible for ­­­­­­­­­­­­­ensuring customers receive the highest level of care and expertise when partnering with Ring Power Lift Trucks for their equipment needs. He will oversee team efforts in meeting customer needs throughout Broward, West Palm Beach, Hendry, Martin and St. Lucie Counties.

Ring Power Lift Trucks is the forklift and material handling division of Ring Power Corporation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Additional offices service Pompano Beach, Miami, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Ocala and Tallahassee. For more information on Ring Power Lift Trucks, visit the Ring Power Lift Trucks website.

Justin Barlanti has been promoted to the position of Product Support Sales Manager at Ring Power Lift Trucks, the forklift division of Ring Power Corporation.

Barlanti joined Ring Power in 2005 as a Heavy Equipment Product Support Inside Sales Representative. He moved to Hydraulic Sales and Repair in 2006, where he introduced many customers to Ring Power’s hydraulic repair capabilities. In 2010, Barlanti joined the Lift Truck team as a Product Support Sales Representative covering Jacksonville and surrounding counties. Barlanti has been instrumental in the parts and service growth at North Florida branches. He will continue to work out of the Jacksonville office. Barlanti is a graduate of Jacksonville University and has a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.

Ring Power Lift Trucks is the forklift and material handling division of Ring Power Corporation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Additional offices service Pompano Beach, Miami, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Ocala and Tallahassee. For more information on Ring Power Lift Trucks, visit the Ring Power Lift Trucks website.

Curt Ballard named as New Parts Operations Manager for Ring Power Lift Trucks

Curt Ballard has been promoted to the position of Parts Operation Manager at Ring Power Lift Trucks, the forklift division of Ring Power Corporation. Ballard is based out of the Orlando facility.

Ballard joined Ring Power Lift Trucks in September, 1999 and brings over 24 years of forklift parts and material handling experience to his new position. Ballard has worked as a Parts Counter Sales Representative and more recently as Orlando Parts Manager, which supplies forklift and material handling equipment parts for Orange, Osceola, Lake, and Seminole Counties in Central Florida, but has branch offices throughout Florida.

Ring Power Lift Trucks supplies original forklift manufactured parts, as well as Promatch aftermarket forklift parts for any major brand and make. Ballard commented, "As the Ring Power Lift Trucks Parts Operation Manager, I will be tasked with growing our OEM and aftermarket forklift parts business for the entire state of Florida."

Ring Power Lift Trucks is the forklift and material handling division of Ring Power Corporation, headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida. Additional offices service Pompano Beach, Miami, Daytona Beach, Melbourne, Orlando, Tampa, Sarasota, Ocala and Tallahassee. For more information, contact us at rlinfo@ringpower.com or visit the forklift parts section of our website.